Ancient History Hound

By Ancient Blogger

What's Ancient History Hound about?

I'm all about ancient history and this podcast covers ancient Greece, Rome and other cultures from antiquity. From mainstay topics through to the more niche and aimed at all levels of knowledge I think you'll find something good to listen to. Why not have a browse? It would be great to have you join me.

More content, including episode notes, on my ancient history website www.ancientblogger.com

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Ancient History Hound episodes:

04.14.2024
Ancient Sicily (pt2). Tyrants and Tragedy.
In the second episode on ancient Sicily I turn to the rise of the tyrants and the changing political situation on the island. Covering the period between 600BC and the mid 5th century BC there is a lot to talk...
02.17.2024
Ancient Sicily (pt1). New neighbours.
The first of a mini series on ancient Sicily. I begin with a brief sojurn around the island and an overview of the original inhabitants. Then it's onto the Greeks and Phoenicians who founded colonies on the island. I unwrap...
01.14.2024
Ancient Rome's Worst Emperors with LJ Trafford
Ever wonder who the worst Roman Emperors were? Well, LJ Trafford has written a book on this question and we sit down to chat about three candidates I selected from it. This is LJ's third appearance on the podcast and...
12.17.2023
The Saturnalia.
It's that time of the year for a look at the Roman Saturnalia. This was a Roman midwinter festival in which people gave presents, partied and even slaves got time off. In this episode I look into the important themes...
12.05.2023
Episode Swap: Roman street food and urban kitchens with The Delicious legacy Podcast.
My first go at an episode swap and it's with The Delicious Legacy Podcast which explores food throughout history. In this episode Thomas travels back to ancient Rome to consider what the average Roman ate. He unwraps the workings of a...
10.22.2023
Night of the Livy Dead VII
In this Halloween special I pick out a few characters from antiquity who you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, or pretty much anywhere. A Mesopotamian demon, shapeshifters and a terrifying trio all feature. You can find previous...
10.07.2023
Re-release: Witches and Demons in Mesopotamia.
A re-release of a previous Night of the Livy Dead Halloween special. This one was all about witchcraft and demons in Mesopotamia and how you might counter them. If you enjoy this why not have a scroll through and find...
09.04.2023
Bees BC: Bees and honey in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece.
Bees and honey have been incredibly important for different peoples for a long, long time. In this episode I discuss exactly how bees were kept, how honey was produced and what it was used for. I also get into how...
08.01.2023
Hannibal: from Cannae to Zama
The story of Hannibal didn't stop at Cannae. Following this victory he met obstacle and success as he took on Rome in southern Italy. In this episode I unwrap what happened and how it all led to his final battle...
07.03.2023
Magna Graecia: Greeks in Southern Italy.
The Greeks established numerous colonies in southern Italy. In this episode I'm delving into the history of them, how they interacted with local peoples and of course each other. Dancing animals, a drunken diplomatic incident and 'hands-off' pottery all feature....
05.21.2023
Helots of Sparta
The helots of Sparta were a people who were indispensible for the Spartan state. But what did they do, how had Sparta acquired them and how did it go about controlling this population? Episode notes (including transcription) on www.ancientblogger.com Music...
04.10.2023
Archaic Athens and democracy.
At the beginning of the 6th century BC Athens was in crisis and by the end of it there was a new political system in place. In this episode I discuss the changes, characters and events which occured. Bizarre political...
02.12.2023
The Lupercalia.
The Lupercalia was literally run on on the 15th February in ancient Rome. Apart from the nudity, running and goathide thongs there's a lot going on here. Indeed the Roman writers seem unsure of how it all started and in...
02.03.2023
Romans in Scotland: The Campaigns with Dr Andrew Tibbs.
In the second of two episodes on Roman Scotland the chat turns to the three main campaigns which Rome undertook there. What was Rome trying to achieve? What do we really know about them? How did they differ and what...
01.15.2023
Romans in Scotland: Fortifications with Dr Andrew Tibbs.
In the first of two episodes on Roman Scotland Dr Andrew Tibbs unwraps the different types of fortifications the Romans built. From the large forts through to the small watchtowers we can learn a lot about how the Roman army...
12.18.2022
Minisode. The Haloa
In the depths of winter a festival took place which celebrated the goddess Demeter, the Haloa. It was an all woman affair with drinking, fire and an all night feast. Oh, and rude language was a must. Episode notes on...
12.03.2022
Rise of the Gladiator
How did gladiators take hold in Rome? Where did they come from and how was their use moulded by the big political events of the 1st century BC? In this episode I get into this and other aspects such as...
10.22.2022
Night of the Livy Dead: The Greek Underworld.
Another #NightofTheLivyDead episode and this time it's a look at the Greek Underworld. What was the journey there like? What happened in it and what's with singing amphibians? From Odysseus to Orpheus and a question to consider on hangovers. There's...
10.16.2022
Night of the Livy Dead Minisode: Werewolves in Greece and Rome.
There are two main stories concerning werewolves in Greece and Rome and in this minisode I briefly cover them. What went on on Mount Lykaion exactly and how did the werewolf differ from our modern interpretation. Thanks for taking the...
10.02.2022
'Mad Honey'.
In this minisode I talk about two disasters which befell a Greek and Roman army due to something you can put on your toast. How did it happen and why? I also cover a nasty way to speed up a...
09.12.2022
Artemis with Dr Carla Ionescu.
In this episode I'm joined by a guest expert Dr Carla Ionescu to discuss the goddess Artemis. There's so much about Artemis which is often left in the background so here we look into the aspects and associations of her...
08.19.2022
Pompeii.
In this minisode I unwrap the sequence of events which befell Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted. Modern studies and archaeology has enabled a narrative to be built of how the eruption played out. I also briefly cover a couple of controversies...
07.31.2022
Piracy in Ancient Greece.
How did piracy feature in ancient Greece? What was it and how did the Greeks respond? In this episode I give an overview from Homer through to the Hellenistic. Why not give it a listen and a review? Don't forget...
07.02.2022
Sappho's Ode to Aphrodite
In this mini episode I pick out some themes from Sappho's famous poem. But that's not all - I also include a performance of it in ancient Greek courtesy of Seikilo. For more info, a reading list, more about Seikilo...
06.04.2022
The Oracle of Dodona.
Over the course of 400 years people travelled to the Oracle of Dodona and asked questions. Some of these have survived and give an fascinating insight into what the people of ancient Greece were thinking. In this episode I take...
04.23.2022
The Second Punic War. Cannae.
Time for the big one. Cannae is one of the most famous battles of antiquity. Not only did Rome suffer a crushing defeat but the tactics behind the victory have been studied by generals and military tacticians ever since. In...
03.28.2022
The Idea of Marathon with Dr Sonya Nevin.
In her book, The Idea of Marathon, Dr Nevin explores the Battle of Marathon from different angles. Not just the events prior to it, but what we know about the battle and how later generations made sense of it all...
02.27.2022
The Second Punic War. Trasimene
The focus on Trasimene is often largely about the events of the day, but what is as interesting are the events leading up to it. What choices did Hannibal have and how did Rome try to anticipate him? As well...
01.25.2022
The Second Punic War. Trebia.
The opening battle of the Second Punic War was to set the trend in many ways and anticipate much of what was to come. But how did it come about? Who were the figures involved, how did the conditions come...
11.30.2021
Sex and Sexuality in ancient Rome with LJ Trafford
It's time to welcome LJ Trafford back onto the podcast and talk about her new book, Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Rome. We discuss a number of topics, from homosexuality through to what the sexual expectations were of the time....
11.12.2021
Fantasy Dinner Guests with Helen McVeigh
Ever play the "who would you invite to a dinner party" game? Well, here is the ancient history and myth version. Joining me for the first episode is Helen McVeigh and we run through her 6 picks. You can find...
10.25.2021
Witches and demons in ancient Mesopotamia.
In this episode I'm continuing the #NightofTheLivyDead Halloween tradition with a look at witches and demons in ancient Mesopotamia. How were they viewed? What made a witch? How did you counter a demon? And how does a magical river battle...
10.08.2021
Jason of Pherae with guest Dr Michael Furman.
In the 4th century BCE the region of Thessaly underwent a transformation. It went from being fractured to becoming a unified state under the leadership of Jason. In a short time Jason became a prominent player in Greece, earning the...
07.13.2021
Thebes. Apex and Despair.
It's the final of my Theban trilogy. In this episode I discuss the highs and lows for Thebes in the 4th century BCE. Along with covering the whirlwind of alliances and reprisals I help answer questions about ridding yourself of...
05.31.2021
Thebes: Revenge and Rivalry.
In this episode I discuss Thebes in the 5th century BCE. How did it fare after Plataea and what position was it in by the end of the century? Revenge, a sporting controversy and even the big stage feature. Lots...
04.24.2021
The gardens of Pompeii with Jessica Venner.
In this episode I talk with guest expert Jessica Venner all about what the gardens in Pompeii can tell us. We chat about what the gardens looked like, the problems of keeping up with the neighbours, what was grown and...
04.03.2021
Thebes. Walls, teeth and Persians.
As part of a look at Thebes I start with the mythical foundation of the city before moving through to the very real aftermath of the Persian invasion. Athletic cows, wedding drama and walls. Something for everyone. I'll be releasing...
03.20.2021
Trailer - why listen to the Ancient History Hound podcast?
Here's yours truly giving a pep talk as to why you might want to subscribe to the show.
02.23.2021
Leptis Magna and Septimius Severus with Maria Lloyd.
Leptis Magna became a celebrated Roman city on the African shore and was the birthplace of the Emperor Septimius Severus. In this episode I chat with special guest Maria Lloyd all about how the city developed and grew. We then...
01.24.2021
The origins of Greek Tragedy
Classical Athens is famous for the introduction of theatre and Tragedy. But it didn't just appear out of nowhere. In this episode I try and piece together how it developed and ended up as a main component of the City...
11.21.2020
AD 69 and daily life in ancient Rome. LJ Trafford interview.
In this special episode I chat with LJ Trafford who has written books covering AD 69 and the four emperors. LJ Trafford has a new book out titled 'How to Survive in Ancient Rome' and we talk about what Rome...
10.24.2020
Night of the Livy Dead 3. Ghosts.
It's Halloween so time for the third NOTLD episode. In this episode I talk about hauntings and instances of ghosts in Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. From festivals aiming to placate them through to reports of hauntings and even ways to...
09.05.2020
The Ancient Olympics.
In this Olympic length episode I discuss the origin of the games and how both they and the site developed over time. I'll also be picking up the wider aspects of it all from politics to nudity and even foul...
07.27.2020
Mountains in Myth.
In this episode I discuss four mountains which featured in ancient Greece. How did they feature in the local myths? What happened on them? I cover this as well as the more obscure mountain associations, from bizarre marital advice, singing...
06.27.2020
Eclipses in Antiquity
It's time to turn my attention to the references made to eclipses in antiquity. They appear in palace records, poems and historical writings and across the Mediterranean (including Mesopotamia). How where they understood? What rituals were observed and how can...
05.31.2020
Kings of Rome. Tarquin and his expulsion.
It's time for the final King, Tarquinius Superbus. I chat about his reign, the expulsion and the emergence of the Republic. Tarquin was a King who did as much inside Rome as outside of it. Plenty to talk about. (content...
04.25.2020
Kings of Rome. Servius Tullius.
Reform, negligent chariot driving and mild pyrotechnics. It's the turn of Servius Tullis, Rome's 6th King to feature. Servius' rise, his fall, reforms and a few puns are all included so get listening. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)
03.30.2020
Kings of Rome. Lucius Tarquinius Priscus.
Rebranding, tyrants, clothes, racing, omens, hydraulic engineering, formal wear and possibly a very long held grudge. The story of Rome's 5th king is certainly entertaining and in this podcast I talk about some of the aspects of his reign. ...
02.24.2020
Kings of Rome. Ancus Marcius.
It's time for Rome's fourth King, Ancus Marcius to come into the spotlight. I discuss what he did and didn't build as well as play detective in a murder mystery. Spoiler alert, he probably did it. Music by Brakhage...
01.26.2020
Kings of Rome. Tullus Hostilius.
Continuing my examination of the Roman kings I talk about Tullus Hostilius, the third Roman king. Tulls was primarily associated with Rome's military exploits and had a hand in a famous myth. He also had more than a hand in...

What's Ancient History Hound about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Ancient History Hound episodes:

Ancient Sicily (pt2). Tyrants and Tragedy.

Ancient Sicily (pt1). New neighbours.

Ancient Rome's Worst Emperors with LJ Trafford

The Saturnalia.

Episode Swap: Roman street food and urban kitchens with The Delicious legacy Podcast.

Night of the Livy Dead VII

Re-release: Witches and Demons in Mesopotamia.

Bees BC: Bees and honey in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece.

Hannibal: from Cannae to Zama

Magna Graecia: Greeks in Southern Italy.

Helots of Sparta

Archaic Athens and democracy.

The Lupercalia.

Romans in Scotland: The Campaigns with Dr Andrew Tibbs.

Romans in Scotland: Fortifications with Dr Andrew Tibbs.

Minisode. The Haloa

Rise of the Gladiator

Night of the Livy Dead: The Greek Underworld.

Night of the Livy Dead Minisode: Werewolves in Greece and Rome.

'Mad Honey'.

Artemis with Dr Carla Ionescu.

Pompeii.

Piracy in Ancient Greece.

Sappho's Ode to Aphrodite

The Oracle of Dodona.

The Second Punic War. Cannae.

The Idea of Marathon with Dr Sonya Nevin.

The Second Punic War. Trasimene

The Second Punic War. Trebia.

Sex and Sexuality in ancient Rome with LJ Trafford

Fantasy Dinner Guests with Helen McVeigh

Witches and demons in ancient Mesopotamia.

Jason of Pherae with guest Dr Michael Furman.

Thebes. Apex and Despair.

Thebes: Revenge and Rivalry.

The gardens of Pompeii with Jessica Venner.

Thebes. Walls, teeth and Persians.

Trailer - why listen to the Ancient History Hound podcast?

Leptis Magna and Septimius Severus with Maria Lloyd.

The origins of Greek Tragedy

AD 69 and daily life in ancient Rome. LJ Trafford interview.

Night of the Livy Dead 3. Ghosts.

The Ancient Olympics.

Mountains in Myth.

Eclipses in Antiquity

Kings of Rome. Tarquin and his expulsion.

Kings of Rome. Servius Tullius.

Kings of Rome. Lucius Tarquinius Priscus.

Kings of Rome. Ancus Marcius.

Kings of Rome. Tullus Hostilius.